Simpler Sailing – An Affordable Guide to Beginner Boating
Boating can be an expensive hobby. You have the cost of the vessel itself, upkeep, repairs, marina fees, and so much more to consider when putting a budget aside. Many people won’t even entertain taking up sailing as they think that they will never be able to afford it. However, nothing could be further from the truth. If you want to sail around in luxury on a huge superyacht with all the frills, you will definitely cost yourself a lot of money. On the other hand, if you take a more modest approach, look into your options and budget accordingly, there is no reason why you can’t enjoy the thrill of being out on the water with your friends family.
Nowadays, the number of different style boats available is staggering. There is an option for every style of boating, every budget and a vessel to cater to all sorts of different activities. If you don’t have the budget to commit to owning and maintaining your own boat year round, you can also consider boat syndication, where you share ownership of the boat and the maintenance fees with other people without the responsibility or hassle of owning it 100%. Options like this make boating much more affordable and accessible to anyone who has been dreaming about spending more time at sea but had talked themselves out of the chance of that dream becoming a reality.
Continue reading to learn how you can get started with boating without breaking the bank.
Know Your Budget
Whether you have a thousand dollars or a million dollars to invest in a boat, knowing how much you can afford is the first step to affordable boating. You might choose to pay upfront for your boat or pay in monthly instalments over time, which will typically end up costing you a little more in the long run. Boating is about freedom and enjoying yourself. You don’t want to end up out on the water stressing about your next payment, or worse yet not have a budget left to keep your boat running in the first place. Set a realistic budget and stick to it.
Consider All Your Costs
Remember that when you buy a boat, you need to be able to afford to maintain it and keep it somewhere. Will you need to moor it somewhere or can you take it in and out of the water on a trailer and keep it at home? Have you priced insurance? Is the boat you are buying fully equipped with everything you need or will you need to incur extra costs kitting it out? It’s critical that you keep questions like these in mind when you are buying your boat and budget accordingly. The last thing you want is to buy a boat and then find out that you still have a host of other financial responsibilities attached to the sale that you never budgeted for.
Research Different Boat Types
There are so many different types of boats available, that it can be daunting trying to figure out where to start. Consider what you are going to be using your board for and choose a vessel that will meet those requirements. If you are planning on racing, you might want a high-performance sailboat, for example. On the other hand, if you want to go wakeboarding with your mates, then a powerboat will be a better choice. Make sure that you give careful consideration to the size of the boat too as this will impact how you can move and store the boat, as well as what kind of additional furnishings you might need to fill the extra space.
Choose The Right Boat Within Budget
Boating might have a reputation for being an expensive pastime but with the right approach, it can be very affordable. Give careful thought to your budget both in terms of the price of the boat itself and also any additional costs that you might incur after the sale. With a budget in place, take some time to consider what you will be using the boat for and shop around until you find something that will fit within your budget and meet your requirements. You can always share the cost with friends through a boat syndication to minimise your costs and make the entire process more affordable. With so many options available nowadays, there’s no reason that you can’t be the proud owner of your own boat and start having your own ocean adventures.